Senior Science Curriculum 1

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

   
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Effective Term: 2024/05
Institute / School :Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Unit Title: Senior Science Curriculum 1
Unit ID: EDBED3038
Credit Points: 15.00
Prerequisite(s): (Pass in 3 Senior Science Courses)
Co-requisite(s): Nil
Exclusion(s): (EDDDE3018)
ASCED: 070301
Other Change:  
Brief description of the Unit

This unit is designed to introduce pre-service teachers to the philosophy and structure of the Victorian Certificate of Education and the requirements of teaching classes in Units 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the VCE, Pre-service teachers will relate their work to Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Environmental Science.

Grade Scheme: Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)
Work Experience Indicator:
No work experience
Placement Component:No
Supplementary Assessment:Yes
Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment
Course Level:
Level of Unit in CourseAQF Level(s) of Course
5678910
Introductory                                                
Intermediate                                                
Advanced                                        
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge:
K1.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies relevant to teaching VCE Study Designs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Science particularly in Units I and 3.in years 7-10

K2.

Display a solid knowledge of the appropriate biological, chemical, physical or earth & space sciences, the relationship to educational contexts, and how they interact in effective teaching.

K3.

Demonstrate developing understandings of the rationale, methodology
and teaching techniques relevant to VCE Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Science and how these subjects relate to the teaching of Science.

K4.

Identify a range of resources, including ICT, relevant to the teaching of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Science at VCE level that engage students in their learning..

K5.

Examine the links between effective planning, teaching, and assessment areas.

K6.

Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in Senior Science

Skills:
S1.

Devise valid methods for assessment in VCE Units 1 and 3 in line with VCE guidelines for Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Science.

S2.

Show developing skills in the teaching of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Science, using theoretical frameworks and practical ability to produce effective learning for a wide range of students.

S3.

Use a variety of technologies in the classroom in order to assist learning.

S4.

Be skilled communicators who can effectively articulate and justify their practices.

Application of knowledge and skills:
A1.

Plan and teach an engaging introductory lesson synthesising key concepts and probing student ideas of an Area of Study in Unit 1 or Unit 3 of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Science.

A2.

Design assessment tasks for VCE Unit 1 of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Science, including one extended practical investigation, with implementation advice, rationale and assessment strategies

A3.

Create a curriculum map encompassing a sequence of lessons relevant to VCE Units 1 and Unit 3 of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Science, demonstrating curriculum knowledge, skills and understandings, assessment approaches, and which is informed by school visits and observations

Unit Content:
Topics to be covered
  • The Victorian Certificate of Education: the structure, role of VCAA and assessment approaches where formative assessment is used to inform the summative assessment.
  • The specific structure concepts and content in VCE Units 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Science with a focus on Units 1 and 3, and the organisation of this into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
  • Discussion of methodology and teaching strategies to engage students in VCE Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Science with particular focus on clear directions for laboratory work, incorporation of a range of resources including ICT, demonstrations, safety in all areas, activity based learning and classroom management.
  • Observing practicing teachers of Units 1 and 3 in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Science and discussing content, teaching approaches and assessment areas.
  • Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies as applied to Senior Science.
  • Evaluation and assessment issues at VCE level issues at the school level for Unit 1 and school assessed coursework introduction at Unit 3.
  • Preparing students with a range of abilities for examinations (VCAA) in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science.
  • Investigation of the introduction of the Specialist Science Centres in Victoria, and linking their programs with VCE Sciences.
Graduate Attributes:
Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.

FED TASK and descriptorDevelopment and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
Learning outcomes
(KSA)
Assessment task
(AT#)
FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal

Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in:

•   Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication

•   Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening

•   Showing empathy for others

•   Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills

•   Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams.

Not applicableNot applicable
FEDTASK 2
Leadership

Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Creating a collegial environment

•   Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect

•   Inspiring and convincing others

•   Making informed decisions

•   Displaying initiative

Not applicableNot applicable
FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity

Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Reflecting critically

•   Evaluating ideas, concepts and information

•   Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas

•   Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts

•   Forming creative solutions in problem solving.

Not applicableNot applicable
FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy

Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information

•   Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely

•   Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media

•   Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups

•   Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities.

Not applicableNot applicable
FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset

Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts

•   Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen

•   Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses

•   Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others

•   Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life.

Not applicableNot applicable
 Learning Outcomes AssessedAssessment TasksAssessment TypeWeighting
1. 

Presentation of an engaging introductory lesson, or component of a lesson, synthesising key concepts and probing student ideas of an Area of Study

Performance-based task

15-20%

2. 

Design with rationale the selection and implementation of assessment tasks for a VCE unit, including one extended practical investigation

Curriculum planning and assessment task.

30-40%

3. 

Review the required VCE curriculum, knowledge, skills and understanding, and design VCE semester plans for Units 1 and 3 that include a range of learning activities that may be informed by school visits and observations.

A task building discipline-based theoretical knowledge with an educational focus.

40-50%

Adopted Reference Style:
APA  ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:
 Standard / Competency
1.Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (AITSL) - Graduate Teacher: Initial
AttributeAssessedLevel
Professional Knowledge
2. Know the content and how to teach it
2.1 Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
YesAdvanced
2.2 Content selection and organisation
Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
YesAdvanced
2.3 Curriculum, assessment and reporting
Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
YesAdvanced
2.5 Literacy and numeracy strategies
Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.
YesAdvanced
Professional Practice
3. Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
3.1 Establish challenging learning goals
Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
YesAdvanced
3.2 Plan, structure and sequence learning programs
Plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies.
YesAdvanced
3.3 Use teaching strategies
Include a range of teaching strategies.
YesAdvanced
3.4 Select and use resources
Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
YesAdvanced
3.5 Use effective classroom communication
Demonstrate a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement.
YesAdvanced
4. Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
4.1 Support student participation
Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
YesAdvanced
4.2 Manage classroom activities
Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.
YesAdvanced
5. Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning
5.1 Assess student learning
Demonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning.
YesAdvanced